Chapter 289: Clever Person

Before sunset, Qian Fugui returned.

The mighty troops and various ox carts filled the area outside Chen Wuji's gate, blocking it completely.

Having just finished his labors, Chen Wuji received a report from Yuan Jinshi, leaned on his waist, and walked out of the gate.

Huo Sanniang was deeply obsessed with having offspring; her earnest pleading left Chen Wuji with no further reason to refuse, and the direct result was that his body felt as if it had been completely drained.

Had it not been for Qin Zhanhong's reminder that over-expending essence and qi would affect the war, Huo Sanniang would have hurriedly stopped; otherwise she still wanted to take advantage of the moment to have Chen Wuji give her a boost, increasing the chance of pregnancy.

"Brigade Commander, I'm incapable!" Qian Fugui walked over, listless.

He had changed into a black uniform, apparently wearing armor underneath, and his fine horse had turned back into that old donkey.

"Why do you say that?" Chen Wuji asked.

Qian Fugui said angrily: "The several old immortals in my family have no guts; they keep pushing back and forth, always thinking that following the brigade commander is our Qian family's best option, even if it means spending half the family fortune, it's worthwhile. But when I ordered them to summon all the able-bodied men, they hesitated and finally gave me only half the manpower."

"Their concerns are understandable, but I won't use your men to fill the moat." Chen Wuji said with a light smile.

For the Qian family to be able to put up such a large stake already shows extraordinary courage.

To recklessly pour so many resources into a hope that may or may not be realized is beyond what ordinary people can do.

Their doubts and worries are completely understandable.

Qian Fugui snorted displeasedly: "In my view, they're just trying to have it both ways; since they decided to do it, they should fully trust, but instead they're wishy-washy, which not only annoys people but also surely reduces the chances of success. In that case, it would be better not to have even started this idea, nor to undertake this matter."

Chen Wuji smiled and said, "Are you pointing at me?"

"No!" Qian Fugui immediately shook his head, "Brigade Commander, I don't mean that; I'm just speaking my mind."

Chen Wuji smiled and nodded.

Whether it was sincere heartfelt words or Qian Fugui intentionally reminding him, he would keep the Qian family's favor in mind.

Adding icing on the cake is not as good as delivering charcoal in the snow.

The Qian family's lavish contribution has played an extremely crucial role in his campaign this time.

"Brigade Commander, the remaining grain will be delivered over the next two or three days." Qian Fugui glanced at Chen Wuji's complexion and turned to business.

Chen Wuji said: "Perfect, take the grain to the Lìng; someone there will tell you where to put it, but don't pile it in my courtyard—I only have this little space, and if you stacked a hundred thousand shi of grain, there'd be nowhere left for people."

Qian Fugui gave an embarrassed chuckle: "The previous batch of grain that arrived, I really didn't know where to send it, so I had people temporarily move it in; now I'll have them move it out again."

"Those with strength can move it; those without can leave it be for now." Chen Wuji said.

He looked at the Qian family's able-bodied men standing aside and asked, "Do these people have a Duilu?"

"Yes." Qian Fugui said, paused, then added, "If you don't like them, Brigade Commander, they can be replaced; with so many able-bodied men we certainly need a few overseers, and the old immortals at home simply nominated a few people to temporarily manage the manpower."

Chen Wuji would not believe a single word of what Qian Fugui said.

"No need to change them; I just need to get to know the people." Chen Wuji said.

This force of able-bodied men was raised by the Qian family at great expense; it's only natural they would nurture their own loyalists and cultivate the men's loyalty to the Qian family.

What Chen Wuji wants is the authority to command this force, but he hasn't yet thought of making them his own; to discard them before even using them is to invite trouble.

Put bluntly, it could even be a death sentence.

The balance here must be grasped.

"Qian Yong!"

Qian Fugui shouted.

A man stepped out from the crowd.

He had thick brows, a high nose bridge, sharp eyes; though not stout, his bearing was full of strength—at a glance he looked like a martial practitioner.

"Qian Yong greets the Brigade Commander!"

Qian Yong bowed with clasped fists, his voice deep and forceful.

"What a brave fellow!" Chen Wuji praised, "Your Young Master must have made my requirements clear, right?"

"It's clear." Qian Yong raised his head and declared loudly, "The Young Master instructed us that, once outside the Qian family, every word and deed must obey the brigade commander's orders—if he tells us to defecate, we cannot urinate; if he tells us to eat, we cannot drink."

Qian Fugui's face instantly darkened: "You scoundrel, did I ever say that?"

"Yes!"

Qian Yong's answer was firm and resonant: "I haven't forgotten a single word the Young Master said, and he also said that anyone who dares to obey outwardly but betray inwardly, gossiping behind backs, will be gelded!"

Qian Fugui grabbed his forehead in frustration: "You wretch, you're making me furious! Shut up, shut up!"

"Yes!"

"Brigade Commander, this guy's talk is like farting—don't take it to heart." Qian Fugui said helplessly, "This brat's worst trait is his mouth, but he's extraordinarily strong—he can lift a stone mill to smash people, chain it up and even wield it, and in a fight he's still quite fierce."

Qian Yong grinned.

Chen Wuji's heart jumped: "Innate divine strength?"

"No, reporting to the Brigade Commander, this is trained." Qian Yong replied loudly.

"When I was young I could only lift over a hundred catties, and gradually increased to this point; it's not innate divine strength."

Chen Wuji's mouth twitched slightly.

Some people's modesty is truly infuriating to hear.

"How young were you when you said that?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Around ten years old."

Chen Wuji looked at Qian Fugui and asked, "Has he always spoken like this?"

"Being able to lift over a hundred catties at ten—does that even sound human?"

Qian Fugui also felt a bit embarrassed: "Roughly… Brigade Commander, just ignore his talk—it's too aggravating."

Chen Wuji indeed didn't want to bother with it.

Asking further would easily break one's resolve.

When others could lift over a hundred catties at ten, what was he doing at that age?

"You first bring people to settle down, I still have some matters." Chen Wuji ordered.

"Yes!"

Qian Fugui clasped his fist and accepted the command.

He slipped into the role quickly; once a wealthy and arrogant young master of a rich family, he now completely regards himself as a commandant under Chen Wuji's command, placing himself in a subordinate position in every word and deed.

Regarding the previous friendship and that bit of business connection, he didn't mention a single word.

Without a doubt, he is a smart person.